Thomson

It’s a heck of a way to run a pre-election campaign. On the eve of an expected election, politicians usually spend their time playing up good news, downplaying the bad, shaking hands and kissing babies.

A series of experimental music nights that bring together some of the world’s most influential improvisers with local sound artists and musicians. • VIVO Media Arts Centre, 2625 Kaslo St. • Feb. 19, 8:30 p.m. • $15, vivomediaarts.com

Best know for his work with Spirit of the West, John Mann is a jack-of-all-trades, with work ranging from creating award winning soundscapes for theatre, to acting in film, TV and theatrical productions. • Blue Frog Studios, 1328 Johnston Rd., White Rock • Feb. 20, 8 p.m. • $45, bluefrogstudios.ca

Six Organs of Admittance

American musician Ben Chasny has devised his very own system of musical composition, The Hexadic System, which is the basis for the upcoming new Six Organs of Admittance album, entitled Hexadic. • Electric Owl, 926 Main St. • Feb. 20, 8 p.m. • $15, Red Cat, Zulu, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

With five Grammy Awards, thousands of sold-out performances and millions of record sales worldwide, blues icon Robert Cray is considered one of the greatest guitarists of his generation. • Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, 2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam • Feb. 21, 8 p.m. • $39.50/$44.50/$54.50, ticketmaster.ca, HardRockCasinoVancouver.com

The tragic story of a beautiful young geisha who falls in love and marries an American naval lieutenant. Puccini’s music soars throughout this heartbreaking story of love, betrayal and the clashing of two cultures. • Shadbolt Centre, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby • Feb. 21-25 • $15-$35, 604-205-3000, shadboltcentre.com

PSWE: L’Espagna

Music reflecting the energy, pride and history of Spain, from the famous title work by Chabrier through works by Granados, Corea and Alercon. • Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam • Feb. 21, 8 p.m. • $12-$20, 604-927-6555, evergreenculturalcentre.ca

Canadian rock icon and his band Red Rider bring their Take It Home Tour to the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver • 2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam • Feb. 24, 8 p.m. • $44.50/$49.50/$59.50, ticketmaster.ca, HardRockCasinoVancouver.com

Black Veil Brides: The Black Mass 2015

American rock band based in California, with guests Memphis May Fire and Ghost Town • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • Feb. 25, doors 6 p.m. • Tickets at northerntickets.com, voguetheatre.com

Vocalist/pianist Jennifer Scott is featured in this presentation of music from by Brazil. • Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St. • Feb. 26, buffet dinner at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. • Dinner/$20, show/$5, italianculturalcentre.ca

Indie pop band Stars play songs from their new studio album, No One Is Lost. With Newfoundland-based seven-piece indie rock band Hey Rosetta!, on tour in support of their album, Second Sight. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, 7 p.m. • Tickets at northerntickets.com, voguetheatre.com

Canadian record producer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, on tour in support of his new release, Flesh And Machine. • Commodore Ballroom • March 4, 8 p.m. • $28.50, Red Cat, ticketmaster.ca, livenation.com

Caribou

Daniel Victor ‘Dan’ Snaith, aka Caribou, is a Canadian composer, musician and recording artist. • Commodore Ballroom • March 5, 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. (The early show is SOLD OUT) • $25, ticketmaster.ca, thisisblueprint.com

Local bands come together in support of the Music Heals Foundation. Features performances by the Wandering Halls, Eric Campbell and the Dirt and Random Dander. • Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St. • March 7, doors 8 p.m. • $11, rickshawtheatre.com

The Acoustical Sounds of Big Sugar

Big Sugar are known for their powerful, high volume live performances. Enjoy this rare chance to see Gordie Johnson and the entire Big Sugar family in an intimate acoustic setting. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • March 7, 8 p.m. • $29.50, Red Cat, Highlife, northerntickets.com, livenation.com

This brand new show features an eclectic collection of the group’s best-loved and most popular songs from the past seven years. • Abbotsford Centre, 33800 King Rd., Abbotsford • March 10, 7:30 p.m. • $75/$65, 1-855-985-5000, abbotsfordcentre.ca

International ambassadors of Irish music celebrate 50 years with a tour and CD release of The Irish Rovers, 50 Years. • Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., New West • March 13, 7 p.m. • $54.50, 604-521-5050, masseytheatre.com

American folk-blues singer-songwriter, on tour in support of her latest release, Small Town Heroes. • Electric Owl, 926 Main St. • March 21, 8 p.m. • $16, Red Cat, Zulu, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

In conjunction with the release of his 16th studio album, Hearts On Fire, Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame inductee Colin James embarks on his first cross Canada tour since 2012. • Orpheum Theatre • March 24, 7:30 p.m. • $39.50/$52.50/$79.50, ticketmaster.ca, livenation.com

New York City-based quintet have featured on the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers’ film Inside Llewyn Davis, as well as on the soundtrack to Hollywood blockbuster, The Hunger Games. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • March 25, 9:30 p.m. • $39, Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

This year’s festival sees itself broadening its core focus on electronic music to include interactive technology, offering performances at venues across the city, including the Pacific Coliseum. • April 1-5 • seasonsfestival.com

Two-piece garage/psych/rock band from Nashville, on tour in support of their new release, Wasted on the Dream. • Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St. • April 3, 8:30 p.m. • $17.50, Red Cat, Zulu, Neptoon, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

Husband and wife duo Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland, on tour in support of their first full length release, The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss. • Commodore Ballroom • April 9, 8:30 p.m. • $27.50, Red Cat, ticketmaster.ca, livenation.com

The finalists battle for the winning slot to play Wacken Open Air Festival 2015 in Germany. • Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St. • April 10 • Rickshawtheatre.com

The Real McKenzies

Celtic punk band finishes off a cross-Canada tour with a show in their hometown. With the Isotopes and guests. • Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St. • April 11, doors 8 p.m. • Tickets at Highlife, Red Cat, Neptoon, northerntickets.com, Rickshawtheatre.com

San Francisco-based rock band, on tour in support of their as-of-yet untitled release - a follow-up to 1997’s Album of the Year. • PNE Forum, PNE Fairgrounds, 2901 E. Hastings St. • April 15, 8 p.m. • $55, ticketleader.ca, livenation.com

Neko Case

Musican-songwriter, on tour in support of her sixth studio album, The Worse Things Get, the Harder I Fight, the Harder I Fight, the More I Love You. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • April 15, 8 p.m. • $29.50, Red Cat, Zulu, northerntickets.com, voguetheatre.com

Canadian dancer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, on tour in support of her latest release, Sound of a Woman. With guest Betty Who. • Commodore Ballroom • April 20, 9 p.m. • $30, ticketmaster.ca, timbreconcerts.com

American neo-post-punk band from Oakland, consisting of main producer, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Luis Vasquez. • Electric Owl, 926 Main St. • April 25, 8 p.m. • $15, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

Liturgy

Brooklyn-based metal band, on tour with their original lineup to support their new release, The Ark Work. • Electric Owl, 926 Main St. • April 27, 9 p.m. • $13, Red Cat, Zulu, Scrape, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

Iconic Canadian rock band, known for their hits like You Could Have Been A Lady, and Tonight is A Wonderful Time to Fall in Love. • River Rock Show Theatre, 21299 River Rd., Richmond • May 9, 8 p.m. • $49.50/$39.50, ticketmaster.ca, riverrock.com

Iconic Irish rock band hit the road following the recent release of their 13th studio album, Songs Of Innocence.• Rogers Arena • May 14 and May 15, 7:30 p.m. • $30-$275, ticketmaster.ca, livenation.com

Tommy Emmanuel CGP

By the age of six Tommy Emmanuel was already working as a professional musician and has evolved into one of the greatest guitarists of our time. With guests Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • May 16, doors 7 p.m. • Tickets at northerntickets.com, voguetheatre.com

From Philadelphia, indie rock band on tour to support their latest release, Lost In The Dream. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • May 24, 9 p.m. • $37.50, Red Cat, Zulu, northerntickets.com, timbreconcerts.com

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Tour

Performing tracks from their critically acclaimed release, Cheek to Cheek, an album of classic jazz standards sung in a combination of vocal duets and solo performances. • Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 600 Hamilton St. • May 25 and May 26, 8 p.m. • $94-$275, northerntickets.com, coastaljazz.ca

Barry Manilow

Multiplatinum pop singer-songwriter, known for his hits like Mandy, Can’t Smile Without You and Copacabana. • Rogers Arena • May 26, 7:30 p.m. • $17-$137, ticketmaster.ca

Joe Pug

American Folk singer-songwriter, on tour to support his upcoming release, Windfall. With guests Field Report. • Electric Owl, 926 Main St. • May 26, 9 p.m. • $15, Red Cat, Zulu, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

Speedy Ortiz

Indie rock band from Massachusetts, on tour to support their new album, Foil Deer. • The Cobalt, 917 Main St. • May 26, 9 p.m. • $13, Red Cat, Zulu, ticketweb.ca, timbreconcerts.com

Thrilling audiences for more than 20 years, this Italian tenor has sold more than 80 million records and performed countless worldwide tours. • Rogers Arena • June 14, 7:30 p.m. • $78.75-$372.75, ticketmaster.ca, aeglive.com

Halestorm

Siblings Elizabeth and Arejay Hale are the core members of this hard rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania. With guests Rival Sons and Royal Thunder. • Commodore Ballroom • June 14, 7:30 p.m. • $27.50, Scrape, ticketmaster.ca, livenation.com

Purity Ring

Canadian electronic pop duo, on tour to support their latest release, Another Eternity. • Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St. • June 15, doors 8 p.m. • Tickets at northerntickets.com, voguetheatre.com

Chicago

Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling band is known for a string of hits including If You Leave Me Now and Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? • River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond • June 18, 8:30-11:30 p.m. • $109.50/$99.50, ticketmaster.ca, riverrock.com

Austin-based songwriter/musician Alejandro Rose-Garcia, aka Shakey Graves, on tour in support of his new record, And the War Came. • Commodore Ballroom • July 21 and July 22, 9:30 p.m. • $25, Red Cat, ticketmaster.ca (July 22 show is SOLD OUT), livenation.com

Australian soft rock duo are known for their hits like All Out of Love and Making Love Out of Nothing at All. • Hard Rock Casino Vancouver, 2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam • Oct. 1, 8 p.m. • $34.50/$39.50/$49.50, ticketmaster.ca, HardRockCasinoVancouver.com